Taranaki Pumas fans ready to cheer on team
28 June 2017

Jorge Pacce is looking forward to welcoming his countrymen to his adopted home and making plenty of noise when Argentina take on the All Blacks at Yarrow Stadium on 9 September.

“It’s very exciting,” he said. “It’s fantastic that they are coming to New Plymouth and, if I can, I would love to meet them when they are in town.”

Jorge, an engineer working in the oil and gas industry, has lived in New Plymouth for six years. He will be one of the thousands of fans lining up for tickets to the Investec Rugby Championship match when they go on sale at noon on Thursday, 29 June.

“I’ve never been to a Pumas match before, so I’m really excited. I grew up in a football area of Argentina but always kept an eye on rugby, and since being in New Zealand have gone to see many Super Rugby and Taranaki games … I still support the Hurricanes!” he said.

While Jorge, wife Anyi, daughter Antonella (2) and newborn son Santiago are now pretty much Taranaki locals, they will still be cheering for Argentina success. And Jorge expects a big contingent of Argentina supporters from Taranaki and further afield to don the light blue and white colours of the Pumas and support their homeland for the test.

“I have a Pumas jersey but it’s pretty old – I’ll have to check if I can still fit into it,” he joked. “There will be a lot of South American people there supporting the Pumas – we are pretty loud so everyone will know we are there.”

Jorge’s favourite player is experienced back Juan Martin Hernandez, but knows it is going to be very difficult for Hernandez and the Pumas to get their first ever win over the All Blacks when the teams run out at Yarrow Stadium. Argentina have not beaten the All Blacks in 23 attempts since the first match between the two nations in 1985.

“The Pumas have improved a lot since playing in the Rugby Championship but they are still a fair step behind the All Blacks. The All Blacks have a very strong bench and are always too strong in the second half,” he said.

“The Pumas are still learning lots from the All Blacks ... but one day they will beat them.”

New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom is looking forward to welcoming passionate Argentinian fans to the region, as well as eager All Blacks followers.

“We are looking forward to hosting everyone at Yarrow Stadium here in New Plymouth, Taranaki, one of Lonely Planet’s top two regions in the world to visit. I love this place and I urge visitors to bring their passion for rugby and a great weekend away. We’ll provide the rest here in the Lifestyle Capital of New Zealand.”

Stuart Trundle, chief executive of the region’s tourism organisation Venture Taranaki, is also looking forward to welcoming the return of international rugby.

“Yarrow Stadium can be relied on to match the on-field energy with an equally passionate crowd,” Stuart said.

“Fans visiting the region judged the second best in the world by Lonely Planet can be assured of a warm welcome to Taranaki, no matter which team they support,” Stuart said.